The Human Library builds a positive framework for conversations that challenge stereotypes and prejudices through dialogue. The University Library System remains committed to diversity, inclusion, and free inquiry and, in providing a space where this dialogue takes place, affirm participants’ rights to safety and dignity.

In order to build an environment that encourages open discussion, The Human Library has the following ground rules for participant behaviour:

• Treat other participants with dignity, respect, care, and courtesy at all times.
• Avoid inappropriate verbal language or physical gestures during the Human Library event.
• Do not recruit, evangelize, or proselytise your views, beliefs, or politics with a view to conversion during the Human Library event. Discussion and debate, yes; Recruitment, no.
• No threatening or intimidating behavior towards others, whether physical, verbal or psychological.
• Do not take advantage of inside knowledge of the particular vulnerabilities of sensitive participants to abuse, bully, coerce, hurt, manipulate, or shame. 
• Do not express or act on the very prejudices and stereotypes that the Human Library seeks to dispel - e.g., homophobia, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, racism, xenophobia, sexism, transphobia, ageism, ableism etc.
• Be careful and sensitive when using humor - not everyone may get the joke. Check-in with people to confirm they are ok with humour, teasing, jokes, etc., particularly if they are looking uncomfortable.
• Do not deliberatly give offense to another participant. If you take offense at something -- it may be unintended or accidental --  and you feel able to, try to confirm the context and whether cultural or communication differences may have accounted for it.
• Raise and report issues with librarians and organizers if you feel unable to raise it directly with another book or staff member.